Md Anderson Gynecologic Oncology Associates's Online Review Report Card

I think I am being generous giving the staff and doctors a one star review but there was not a lower review that I could click on.  The staff and doctors just showed that their biggest interest is money and not the well being of their patients.  I can say this because my dad is a non-U. S. citizen so he has to pay cash in advance before any procedure can be done.  My father had a scan and biopsy done in San Diego, California.  We contacted MD Anderson and set up an appointment and we sent all of my father's medical records in advance as requested.  Right away, we got a bad feeling as the hospital charged my father for the medical consultation, which is fine, but they also charged him a hospital fee - it was explained to me that the charge is not for seeing the doctors but for the building.  I do not know if this is common practice, if so then fine.  The doctor that we saw was adamant that my father needed another scan because the one that we sent over with his medical records was over 30 days old.  Ok no problem, I understand policy, but luckily I asked how much, and after getting bounced around a few departments, I was told that the charge would be a little over $10,000.00.  Same scan in San Diego cost my dad a little over $2,000.00.  Furthermore, we were informed that their pathologists would have to review the pathology slides because they wanted to make sure that the diagnosis from the pathologists in San Diego was correct.  That's fine but they would not tell us how much my dad would be charged.  Finally, we inquired if my dad could go back to San Diego and get a new scan, but we were informed that the doctor from MD Anderson would not give my dad a referral so he could get the scan in another hospital.  This showed us that they are only interested in money.  I hope no other foreign patients have been put through this type of experience as we were.  As a side note, my dad had surgery in San Diego and is doing great.  The doctor that we saw in MD Anderson told my dad that chemotherapy would be absolutely necessary as his first treatment before anything else could be considered.  I guess another way to get money out of my dad.

I live in n w Indiana just an hour from Chicago.  After being diagnosed (October 2016) with AML leukemia, I initially had treatment at Northwestern Hospital in  Chicago(rated the #8 cancer Hospital  in USA)   It was only a 90minute train ride and a 20 minute walk.. After the input chemo and first round of consolidation chemo, there was an 'issue' as to whether or not  4 out of 6 markers 'cord blood' transfsion would be the next phase.  I elected to visit Mayo Clinic  in Rochester, MN and get the opinion of the #3 best cancer hospital.  With a  difference of opinion, I then decided to go to the #1 best cancer hospital in the USA for the last 27 years, MDAnderson in Houston.  I have nothing but extreme praise for the entire staff of doctors, nurses, and support staff.  I always was made to feel comfortable and knew I was getting the best treatment in the entire USA if not the world.   I met people at  MDAnderson from around the world getting treatment.  My doctor writes numerous  (around 120) research articles, which the other hospitals read and discover the newest treatment results.   Was it cheap to fly down to Houston, and incur hotel expenses etc? NO...  Just ask yourself the following question....What's my life worth?  If you want  to take your chances with your county hospital, good luck.    My recent biopsy of bone marrow last week pretty much shows no indication whatsoever of any more cancer cells anywhere.  Will I have a relapse someday?  Maybe, but if and when I DO have a relapse, I'll be on the next flight to Houston Hobby Airport.   I CANNOT THANK MD ANDERSON ENOUGH!!!!!